Sahasak Nimevum 2013; a call for innovators

Friday, 16 August 2013 03:17 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Sarah Hannan For the second consecutive year the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission under the guidance of the Ministry of Technology and Research will be presenting ‘Sahasak Nimevuw 2013’, the national innovation exhibition at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), from 30 November to 2 December, 2013. Secretary to the Ministry of Technology and Research Dhara Wijeyatilake presided the media briefing at the Ceylon Chamber of

Commerce on Thursday, 15 August, 2013. Sri Lanka Inventors Commission Commissioner Deepal Sooriyaarachchi and Sri Lanka Inventors Commission Director Anuradha Ileaperuma were present at the occasion as well. Wijeyatilake elaborated on the context of the exhibition in her address stating that the main focus of the initiative is to encourage the concept of inventing and to highlight the innovative ideas presented by the up and coming inventors which would subsequently inspire and empower them recognising their potential. She stressed that science, technology and research play a major role in building Sri Lanka’s knowledge hub and is a stepping stone towards the Ministry’s vision of the country becoming scientifically and technologically advanced by 2020. Sri Lanka Inventors Commission Commissioner Deepal Sooriyaarachchi in his address explained that this year, the exhibition will focus more on quality than quantity and informed that a significant number of applications are anticipated through four participating categories; ‘School’, ‘University and Technical College’ and ‘Open, Commercialised Inventions’. Moreover, these inventions can be presented under 12 fields that have national and international significance: ‘Making the disabled independent’, ‘Environment’, ‘Food’, ‘Agriculture’, ‘Health and Nutrition’, ‘Energy’, ‘Construction’, ‘Teaching Aids’, ‘Safety and Security’, ‘Apparel, Textile and Accessories’, ‘Entertainment’ and ‘Communications/ Transport’. The winners from each field will also be entitled to five special awards; ‘Information and Communication Technology’ (ICT), ‘Electronics’, ‘Traditional Knowledge’, ‘Nano Technology’ and ‘Substitute for Imports’. This year 155 awards are to be won along with cash prizes worth Rs. 9 million, five special awards and the ‘Dasis’ award for the best from the four main categories. Recapping on last year’s achievements, Sooriyaarachchi said that the previous ‘Dasis’ award winner Manju Gunawardena participated at the Geneva Exhibition for Invention and Innovations and won a Gold Award for his invention that was presented under the Nano Technology category. He added that this in itself goes to prove that the quality and innovative ideas that were adjudged at the last exhibition are on par with internationally accepted standards. “Unfortunately Sri Lanka lacks vibrant angel investors to uplift the spirits and empower inventors of this calibre,” he further added. Interested new inventors can apply online - www.slic.gov.lk - by downloading the application and submitting it by post, or contact the commission on 0112424964 / 0112394952 or via email at [email protected]. The closing date for applications is 30 September, 2013.